This is a big question that often comes up for those starting a virtual assistant business.

Do I really need a VA website?

The short answer is yes. Ultimately, I think you should have a website. But you have a lot of options for what that looks like–as well as what to do if you don’t have one.

Let’s explore your options and the reasoning behind all of this.

Importance of having a website

Think of a website as your home base online.

It’s the place to really showcase your skills and personality. This is where you can list your services and make it clear the type of client that you work best with.

It’s more “yours” than social media. Facebook or Twitter could close up shop tomorrow or charge exorbitant fees if they wanted. So, if you’re relying solely on social media to get your name out there, you’re putting the fate of your business in other people’s hands.

Use social media as a marketing tool, not as the be-all end-all. It should support your marketing efforts and direct people to your website as well as help you solidify potential client relationships.

Having your own site shows people that you are legit and a bit more established than a social media profile with no picture. It gives them a place to go in order to find out more about you and your business.

Options for creating your website

The main players in the world of website creation are WordPress, Wix, Weebly and Squarespace.

With Wix, Weebly and Squarespace, they host and own your site. They give you what you need to get started, and you pay a monthly fee for their services. It’s fairly easy to create a site with one of these platforms, but options and customization and limited.

On the other hand, you have WordPress. I’m talking about WordPress.org here, not WordPress.com.

WordPress.org is a free platform that you install on your self-hosted site. That means that it’s yours and you own it. This is what I recommend the most.

Disclaimer: Those are my affiliate links. If you purchase through my links, I make a commission. These are both companies that I use and trust.

Then you install the WordPress platform and create your site. Going with self-hosted allows you to have full control over your site. You can customize your WordPress site with all kinds of plugins and themes.

I’ll be honest, I didn’t know about ANY of this when I started my VA business. I’d never created a website, and I’d never even heard of these platforms before I started working online. I did my research. I decided that WordPress made the most sense for me. Then I learned what I needed to know on the very small budget that I had.

With all that said, I’m very much a believer in starting where you’re at. So, if you feel that WordPress has too steep of a learning curve for you right now and you can quickly set something up in Wix or Squarespace, then go for it.

Different things work for different people. Having some type of website up, and interacting with your target market, is better than doing nothing at all.

What if you don’t have a website yet?

I don’t want you to stop with your business plans just because you don’t have a website. While I feel they’re really important, there are things you can do now, even if you don’t have one.

This is like your own personal mini website. It’s one page, like a landing page, that you can use to tell people about your business.

Option #2: If you’re currently using social media to connect with potential clients and you don’t have a website yet, really focus on the platforms where you find them the most. You don’t have to be on EVERY one. Then make sure your profile is very clear about your services, who you help, and how you help them.

Option #3: You can also start creating your list without a website. Email marketing and list building are great tools for keeping in touch with potential clients. Create a free offer that you can give to your market in exchange for their email address. Talk about your freebie on social media and invite people to sign up for it.

Option #4:Another option is to create an online portfolio that showcases your VA skills. This isn’t just for those who offer graphic design. It can be a great way for people to get a sense of how you can help them.

Let’s summarize

Having a website for your virtual assistant business is important to create an online presence, gain the trust of potential clients, and showcase what you can do for them.

When it comes to creating a website, you have some options. I recommend a self-hosted WordPress site, but start with what you can, and get something out there.

If you don’t have a website yet, there are other ways to create an online presence, such as an about.me page, social media, and an online portfolio.

If you take anything away from this article, know that you always have options. Regardless of your budget or time allowance, you can take steps today to create your virtual assistant business and get in front of potential clients.